Combination chair and stepladder



Nov. '15, `1932'. LUNDSTRQM 1,887,492

COMBINATION CHAIR AND sTEPLADDI-:n

Filed May 1 1, 1951 f XLZWENTOR:

ua?! 'aw/ By A TTORNE Y.

Patented Nov. I5, 1932- COMBINATION CHATRA'ND sTnrLAnnnn Application filed May 11, 1931. 'serial N9.'53e`,35'6. f

My invention relates to a combination chair and stepladder which may more aptly be designated simply as a chair-ladder, the principal object being to provide an article einbodying a` foldable stepladder mounted in a new and unique manner in a chair, the construction being such that the `stepladder is completely out of View when not in use and within the seat box of the chain The chair actually comprises the support means and suitable braces for` the ladder when the latter is used as such. As a chair there is no new feature, the appearance of same and construction being much the same as an ordinary kitchen or household chair and the stepladder parts are completely inclosed.

In the accompanying`drawing,-`

Fig. 1 is a top view of'the'chair.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation as on line 2-2 in Fig. 1,.with the stepladder in operative position.

Fig. 3 is a full top view of Fig. 2.

` Fig. 4 is -a sectional view on a horizontal line as 4-4 of Fig. 2, through the seat boX of the chair, stepladder parts being omitted.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the chair with the stepladd'er means folded up.

Referring to the drawing by vreference numerals, V6 designates the rear posts or up-v rights of a chair, 7 the corresponding pair of shorter front posts, both sets of posts connected rigidly by side boards8 and a rear board 9 connecting the rear posts only. 10 designates a seat board or frame covered with a suitable cover 11 and said seat hinged at 12 to a horizontal cross piece 13 between legs 6.

14.- is a cross piece connecting the front legs at a level about even with the bottom edges of the sides 8. 8L are a pair of narrow ledges on a common plane with the parts 14 and eX- tending rearwardly therefrom and fixed to the lower parts of the sides 8 The seat may be raised to upright and rearwardly inclined position against the upper parts of the rear legs, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. 15 and- 16 are respectively an upper and lower cross piece connecting the rear legs above the seat level and comprising a back rest when the device is used as a chair. 17B and 17L are respectively a right an left rail of a stepla'dder, both rails counter; parts and eachf comprising two sections- 'of about'the sameV length and hinged together as at 18.V` The lowerendsof' said rails are hingedly mounted as at 19 (Figi 2) 4eachto a ledgeSL. y i i 20'f'are the ladder'rungs,-provided two' to each ladder section, the top rung designated 20T and havinghingedlysecured to its' unv der side, as at 21A an extension board 21 comprising when extended from under rung 20T an'eXtension' suitable toplace a paint-pot,pail or thehlike thereon.' The abutting "edgesv or ends of the ladder sections are preferably cut on an'angular line, and just rbelow said'joint, on the lower section, `is pivotally secured at UNITED STATES p 23 a brace 22,the free end of which is adapted Y to be swung forward to engage frictionally against the seat 10, as best shown'in Fig. 2, thus bracing and holding the ladderrigidly in an inclined plane. The ladder isof such f length that its upper rung 20T is Ona level little above the top of the chair backwhile the board 21 rests on said back, the said board being provided on its under side with spaced pairs of cleats 211 located so as to engage the top cross piece 15 of the chair.

When it is desired to use the device as a cha-ir the ladder is rst collapsed to lie within the seat box, as follows: First, the board 21 is raised, thereby raising the upper ladder'section and disengagingthe board from the seat back, the said upper ladder section then being swung rearward and down to lie against thev front part of the lower ladder section see arrow 25, Fig. 2). Second, then l,the fol ed ladder is released by swingingbraces 22 free and allowed to dropdown between the sides 8 to rest on the ledges-8L as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Third, then the seatV board 10 is swung forward and down to rest on the tops of lmembers 8 and legs 7 simul-V taneously. Setting up the ladder is a mere reversal of the procedure just described.

It is obviousthat this device may be made to embody a number of modifications of details withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit Vof the invention. For example, a device other than the braces 22 may be used to holdv the .ladder sections in firm alinement.V

It is further obvious that the rear chair legs 6 comprise the ladder support and they must be so spaced from the front legs as to permit the folded ladder to swingV freely down to the lowered position shown dotted in Fig. 2 with the side rails of the lower ladder section rest ing on the ledges or flanges 8L.

Claim 1. In a chair having an upright back, a seat frame extending forwardly therefrom and a seat hinged to said frame' to swing upwardly and rearwardly against .the Vchair back; said seat frame comprising aquadrangular inclosure normally closed by said hinged seat; a step-ladder comprising sections hinged to# gether in end to end relation to fold one upon the other, one end of one section of the ladder hingedly secured in the lowerfront part of the seat frame, said ladder adapted to be 3 raised on the latter hinges and its sections 20 alined in an inclined plane toward the back of the chair7 and means atthe free upper end of the ladder to removably engage the upper end ofthe chair back. 2. The structure specified 'in claim l, and ladder brace means intermediate its ends comprising for each side rail of the ladder a pivoted brace adapted to be swung rearwardly on its hinge and its free end to contact with 30; the seat member near the bottom of the chair.

In testimony whereof I afHX my signature.

GUSTAF LUNDSVTROM.

5o l l 

